For years, I documented "my Dirk's" verbal outbursts, he was used to getting his way in technical disagreements by yelling while being large and imposing. I noted dates, subject matter and witnesses, that was my outlet instead of yelling back. Eventually he became my manager and since he always had to be at war on at least two fronts and I had become proficient at walking on eggshells, we had a détente going. Well, until he lost it again and I had had enough. I put in my resignation, including the choice examples of his outbursts, he was gotten rid of two months after I had left.

It's because of your privilege that the happy ending to your "daymare" is making a toothless assertion of defiance then "slipping away" to leave all your comrades to deal with the situation alone. The answer to authoritarianism is not performative declarations it's solidarity.

Be polite, be professional, and be prepared to kill everyone named Dirk.

Assuming the role of a petulant child is only a power move if the authority figures in question are relatively indulgent, for example a harried elementary school teacher.

I applaud your brave 7 year old self. Most of us, as children, would have just knuckled under.
Another 5 word phrase that might be helpful in 2025;
‘I need a good lawyer’.

This is just a left-wing retread of the Republicans' "Clinton's not my president," from thirty years ago.

Does this work for traffic tickets, dealing with the IRS, getting caught robbing a bank? COOL!

@6, @7: It's also a left-wing retread of the Sovereign Citizen "movement."

I too have a recuring daymare: stuck on a desert island with an isufferable, self important narcicist like the author. If the author ever finds herself in some distopian future with a bully like dirk, just walk away and survive on your own. If it's a job situation, just quit... that'll show him/her/they!

"And that is
a happy ending —
because if you can es-
cape from Dirk, you should."

ending Stockholm Syndrome
tis a Lofty Goal but'll likely
entail oodles of blood
& guts spilled from
here to Eternity

Especially with
co-prezzes MXtrmpf
manning the killerdrones &
$$$ bounties on Progressives

but Good on You
for standing up to
the Bullys. take heed.

@3
you'd
make a
Wonderful
Head of HR:

we could End our
dystopian wakemare
and Stockholm Syndrome!
in a matter of months if not minutes.

you've got
My vote.

@11 Minutes. Swiftress doesn't waste any time, only tyrants.

dude.

@6, 7, 8:

The obvious difference being of course that sometimes there ARE legitimate authority figures, the ones we collectively, for better or worse, have granted the power to wield authority. But there is also an expectation they will do so in a responsible, judicial and thoughtful manner. And even then they are restrained by the law that invests authority into their positions, and which in turn imposes limitations on it while also providing a mechanism for depriving them of power should they exceed the expressed boundaries of the authority they have been granted.

Most of the Dirks of this world don't have our collective consent to wield whatever authority they think they have by whatever means they've claimed it; they're dipshits, pure and simple, and no one is under any obligation to accede to their self-granted authority. Not to say there might not be consequences for challenging them, but only that we can and should call out their illegitimacy when necessary.

It’s pronounced “authori-tay” for maximum effect.

Depending on their maturity, this can prove interesting. Not in a good way, too.
I worked in Allied Healthcare, where almost none of my bosses knew what I did,
often had their own ideas on what I ought to be doing, and were mostly peeved
when I could quote WAC (Washington Annotated Code) as to why our practices
complied with State Law and their suggestions did not.
Mostly, it was the confusion caused by realizing, they had no idea what they were
talking about. And, I had forced them into that position in public. I ensured I was
not trampling their authority, just informing them of what was required by either
Federal or State ...Law or Statute. Usually the 2nd and 3rd time were a bit easier.
But they never enjoyed it, and were always ready to pull the rug out from under
me in public, if I was ever putting one over on them. I never did that, though.
Little minds don't like being forced open.

This was more a case of:
"I recognize the authority here.
But, you aren't the final authority."

I feel the same way when I see speed limit or stop signs or other dictates by "the man", There are lots of times I don't recognize an authority figure (doesn't work so well with a cop, personal experience talking here).